What's all this about?
Imagine a future world where connected, intelligent, autonomous cars rule the roads; why would you need to actually own a vehicle any longer? Well, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reckons you won't - which is why its vision of future mobility, presented at the inaugural Tech Fest show at Central St Martins art, design and technology college in London, is an AI steering wheel.
Come again?
No, we're not joking. And its name is Sayer.
Sayer?!
Indeed. So, without messing around, the show must go on. Coming without a natty pair of white trousers and a bouffant haircut, Sayer is a one-man band who is a talking, intelligent, connected life-manager; he only does a spot of moonlighting as an actual steering wheel. He lives in your home and becomes your 'trusted companion'. And he could also be the only bit of a car you actually own. The idea is that instead of buying a vehicle yourself, you simply tell Sayer what sort of car you need and when you need it, and when it autonomously turns up, you pop the AI wheel on the dash and off you go. Makes Sayer easy to love, eh?
I think it sounds like living in a fantasy. But what if you want to drive yourself?
Well, Sayer can even suggest when you might want to take the wheel. So if you're in the mood for taking the (regenerative) brakes off and the EV you're (not really) driving nevertheless makes you feel like dancing through a series of curves, then you can take command yourself. Aren't you impressed?
More than I can say, although it's raining in my heart a little bit. Anything else?
Not really. Although we're surprised JLR named it after 1970s popster Leo Sayer.
Erm... don't you think it was named after fabled Jaguar designer Malcolm Sayer?
What?! Ah... hang on... *checks Wikipedia*... ah, yes. Ahem. Apologies. Sayer is indeed named after the bloke who worked for Jaguar between 1951 and 1970, and who was responsible for both the E-Type and the XJS.
No time for a 'Thunder In My Heart' gag to be shoehorned in, then?
Apparently, you managed it right at the end.
Matt Robinson - 4 Sep 2017